What is a Meldebescheinigung & why it’s so important for newcomers

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When you find a place to live in Germany, the first administrative step to take is to register your address & do your Anmeldung at your local city hall/office.

Doing so, you will receive a German registration certificate: Anmeldebestätigung (or sometimes simply Meldebestätigung). This document contains the following information:

  • Registration date
  • Moving in date
  • Complete postal address
  • Complete name & birth date of person registering.
  • Mention if it’s main residence or secondary residence.
  • Details of the registration office (Meldebehörde), stamp & date.

It acts as an official German registration certificate. It will often be required for several other bureaucratic steps in Germany (like getting health insurance or university) or by private companies (internet, bank, insurance, etc).

For foreigners, it’s especially important because passports alone are often not accepted but it does not contain a German address. You need to show your address by showing your Meldebestätigung.

A Meldebestätigung example. It looks different in every city.

Is there a difference between Anmeldebestätigung & Meldebescheinigung?

In theory yes. In practice no. Both documents contain the same information about you & hold the same value.

  • The Anmeldebestätigung is given only once when you register a new address, with the original registration date. It shows when you first moved-in.
  • The Meldebescheinigung can be requested later to confirm your residence at any time, with the date at which the copy was made. It shows that you still live at this address.

You will need a new Meldebescheinigung because in many occasions, administrations & companies will request a certificate that is not older than 6 months. It’s how they verify your address.

How to get a Meldebescheinigung copy?

If you already have done your Anmeldung and you a new registration certificate, you can request a copy at your local registration office (Bürgeramt, Bürgerbüro, Rathaus, or Kundezentrum) in person or online.

Prefer the online variation to avoid waiting times:

You might need to provide a copy of your ID card/passport. Expect costs between 5€ & 10€.

When you need a Erweiterte Meldebescheinigung

Here are common cases where someone may require an Erweiterte Meldebescheinigung (extended registration certificate in Germany):

  • Marriage or civil partnership: Required for marriage in Germany or abroad to confirm residence, marital status, nationality, and religion.
  • Divorce proceedings: Needed for court cases to verify residence and marital status.
  • Naturalization: Used for German citizenship applications to prove residence and nationality.
  • Visa or residence permit applications: Requested by embassies or immigration offices for visa and residency processes.
  • Name change procedures: Required for official name changes to confirm identity and marital status.
  • Adoption procedures: Needed for adoption cases to verify residence, nationality, and marital status.
  • Banking and insurance matters: Sometimes required for opening accounts, applying for loans, or getting specific insurance policies.

The procedure to get this document is the same as described above.

Meldebescheinigung – Anmeldebestätigung FAQ

How much does a Meldebescheinigung copy cost?

It costs between 5€ & 10€ depending on the city you live in.

How can I request a new registration certificate?

You can request a new copy of your certificate your local town hall/registration office and online. You will need to provide a copy of your ID card or passport.

Anmeldebestätigung & Meldebescheinigung, what is the difference?

The only notable difference is that a Meldebescheinigung is a copy of the registration records that proves you still live at this address. Both documents serve the same purposes.

Why is Meldebescheinigung important?

Without that document, you cannot apply for a residence permit, register at university, start working or even open a telephone line. It’s the starting point to your life in Germany.

Can I get the Meldebescheinigung online?

In some cities, you can request copies online but you cannot obtain this document without doing the Anmeldung. This is always done in person.

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